Simone Lawson
The Massachusetts Constitution, written primarily by John Adams and ratified by the legal voters of the Commonwealth in 1780, is the oldest constitution currently in effect in the world. It has been amended 121 times as of 2022. The amendments, referred to as the Articles of Amendment, were made to meet the needs of a changing society. The most recent amendment, which was approved by a vote of 52% to 48% in 2022, places a 4% marginal tax on income over $1,000,000.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of times the Massachusetts Constitution has been amended | 121 |
| Date of the first Constitution | 1780 |
| Author of the Constitution | John Adams |
| Date of approval by convention delegates | 15 June 1780 |
| Date the Constitution became effective | 25 October 1780 |
| Example of an amendment | Equality under the law shall not be denied or abridged because of sex, race, color, creed, or national origin |
| Example of an amendment | A 4% marginal tax on income over $1,000,000 |
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What You'll Learn
The Massachusetts Constitution is the oldest functioning constitution
The Massachusetts Constitution, ratified by the legal voters of the Commonwealth in 1780, is the oldest functioning constitution in continuous effect in the world. Written primarily by John Adams, it served as a model for the United States Constitution. The Massachusetts Constitution was the first in history to be created by a convention called for that purpose, rather than by a legislative body.
The document consists of a preamble, a declaration of rights, a description of the principles and framework of government, and articles of amendment. The declaration of rights was derived from the Bill of Rights in several other state constitutions. It sets forth many individual rights, such as free speech, freedom of religion, criminal procedure rights, and the right to be secure from unreasonable searches and seizures. The preamble announces the purposes of government, including furnishing the members of the body politic with "the power of enjoying, in safety and tranquility, their natural rights and the blessings of life".
The constitution has been amended 121 times as of 2022. The most recent amendment places a 4% marginal tax on income over $1,000,000. The amendment process is governed by the 48th Article of Amendment, which establishes an indirect initiative process that requires action by the state legislature, followed by a referendum. The Massachusetts Constitution contains three parts: a preamble, Part the First: A Declaration of the Rights of the Inhabitants of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and Part the Second: The Frame of Government.
The Frame of Government establishes a government of separate powers, including an executive, an independent judiciary, and a bicameral legislature. The structural framework adopted in Massachusetts is identical to that of the United States Constitution. The Massachusetts Constitution has been ahead of its time in several respects. For example, it was the basis for a landmark case in 1781, in which a Massachusetts court ruled that slavery was inconsistent with the constitution, effectively abolishing it within the Commonwealth. In 1976, the Massachusetts Declaration of Rights was amended to recognise the rights of "all people" rather than "all men", establishing a right to "equality under the law" regardless of sex. In 2003, the Supreme Judicial Court ruled that the constitution required the Commonwealth to extend marriage rights to same-sex couples on an equal basis with different-sex couples.
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Amendments are adopted by the people of Massachusetts
The Massachusetts Constitution, ratified by the legal voters of the Commonwealth in 1780, is the oldest constitution currently in effect in the world. It was written primarily by John Adams and served as a model for the United States Constitution.
To meet the needs of an evolving society, the Massachusetts Constitution has undergone numerous amendments, referred to as the Articles of Amendment. As of 2022, there have been 121 amendments to the Massachusetts Constitution.
Amendments to the Massachusetts Constitution are adopted by the people of Massachusetts through a ballot question. This democratic process ensures that any changes to the fundamental governing document of the Commonwealth reflect the will of its citizens.
The process of amending the constitution is governed by the 48th Article of Amendment, which was adopted in 1918. This article establishes an indirect initiative process that requires action by the state legislature, followed by a referendum. The most recent amendment, approved by a vote of 52% to 48% in 2022, imposed a 4% marginal tax on income exceeding $1,000,000.
The Massachusetts Constitution has a rich history of amendments that reflect the evolving values and needs of the Commonwealth. For instance, in 1976, Article CVI was amended to replace the word "men" with "people," and an additional sentence was added to Article XVI: "Equality under the law shall not be denied or abridged because of sex, race, color, creed, or national origin." This amendment served as the basis for the 2003 Supreme Judicial Court's ruling in Goodridge v. Department of Public Health, which required the Commonwealth to extend marriage rights to same-sex couples on an equal basis.
The process of amending the Massachusetts Constitution involves multiple steps and stakeholders. Researchers and citizens can access information about proposed and passed amendments through various resources, including the State Library, the Legislative Documents collection, House and Senate Journal indexes, and online databases such as Westlaw and the State House News Service. These resources provide valuable insights into the historical and ongoing evolution of the Massachusetts Constitution.
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The constitution was written in 1780
The Massachusetts Constitution, written in 1780, is the oldest functioning written constitution in the world. It was drafted by John Adams and ratified by the voters of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on June 15, 1780, becoming effective on October 25 of the same year. The Massachusetts Constitution served as a model for the United States Constitution, which was written in 1787 and became effective in 1789.
The Massachusetts Constitution has been amended numerous times to meet the evolving needs of society. As of 2022, there have been 121 amendments, with the most recent one imposing a 4% marginal tax on income over $1,000,000. The amendment process is now governed by Article XLVIII, adopted in 1918, which establishes an indirect initiative procedure requiring legislative action followed by a referendum.
The original 1780 Constitution consisted of three parts: a Preamble, Part the First: A Declaration of the Rights of the Inhabitants of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and Part the Second: The Frame of Government. Notably, it was structured with chapters, sections, and articles, a unique format at the time.
The Massachusetts Constitution has had a significant impact on history, including landmark cases such as Brom and Bett v. Ashley in 1781, where it was used to abolish slavery in the state. The constitution's strong prohibition against unreasonable searches and seizures, influenced by the Writs of Assistance case, has also left a lasting legacy.
The process of amending the Massachusetts Constitution has evolved over time. Between 1779 and 1919, four large-scale constitutional conventions were held, providing a mechanism for implementing changes. The Massachusetts General Court continues to hold constitutional conventions, now referred to as "joint sessions."
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It has been amended 121 times
The Massachusetts Constitution, ratified by the legal voters of the Commonwealth in 1780, is the oldest constitution currently in effect in the world. It was written primarily by John Adams and served as the model for the United States Constitution. The Massachusetts Constitution has been amended 121 times as of 2022.
The process of amending the constitution in Massachusetts involves proposing and passing amendments during constitutional conventions, which are now synonymous with "joint sessions." The Massachusetts General Court continues to hold these conventions, with the most recent one resulting in a 4% marginal tax on income over $1,000,000. This amendment was approved by a vote of 52% to 48% in 2022.
The amendments to the Massachusetts Constitution reflect the changing needs of society. For example, in 1781, a landmark case involving Elizabeth Freeman, a black slave, sued for her freedom based on the state constitution. The jury agreed that slavery was inconsistent with the constitution, effectively abolishing it within the Commonwealth. In 1976, Article CVI was amended to replace the word "men" with "people", and an additional sentence was added to Article XVI: "Equality under the law shall not be denied or abridged because of sex, race, color, creed, or national origin."
The Massachusetts Constitution also allows for the impeachment of government officials through the legislature and disqualifies convicted officials from holding office within the Commonwealth. These provisions ensure accountability and uphold the integrity of the state's governance.
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The most recent amendment was in 2022
The Massachusetts Constitution is among the oldest functioning written constitutions in continuous effect in the world. It was the first constitution in history to be created by a convention called for that purpose, rather than by a legislative body. The document was primarily authored by American founding father and future US president John Adams. Following its approval by convention delegates, it was ratified by the legal voters of the Commonwealth in 1780.
The Massachusetts Constitution has been amended 121 times as of 2022. The most recent amendment was approved by voters on November 8, 2022, when voters approved Question 1. This amendment places a 4% marginal tax on income over $1 million and was approved by a vote of 52% to 48%.
Constitutional amendments in Massachusetts must go through two sessions of the Massachusetts General Court and must be supported by 25% of the legislature during each of these sessions. If the proposed amendment receives enough legislative support, it is then put on the ballot for Massachusetts citizens to vote on. This process is governed by the 48th Article of Amendment to the Constitution, which establishes an indirect initiative process that requires action by the state legislature, followed by a referendum.
The Massachusetts Constitution can be amended with a legislative, indirect citizen-initiated, or convention-referred constitutional amendment, all of which require voter approval. The state's general court plays a significant role in the process for an initiated constitutional amendment, as it is allowed to refer an alternative substitute measure to the ballot to compete with the proposed citizen initiative.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2022, the Massachusetts Constitution has been amended 121 times.
The process of amending the Massachusetts Constitution is governed by the 48th Article of Amendment, which was adopted in 1918. A constitutional amendment must be adopted by the people of Massachusetts through a ballot question.
The Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is the fundamental governing document of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, one of the 50 states in the US. It was written primarily by John Adams and ratified by the voters of the Commonwealth in 1780. It is the oldest constitution currently in effect in the world.
